Removable Ballistics Adhesive Protective Pad

ABSTRACT

My invention relates to improvements in the performance, functionality, versatility and operation of bulletproof protective armor. Specifically, my invention provides flexible bulletproof adhesive pads in panel form, of various shapes, sizes, colors, patterns, textures, weights, densitys, thicknesses, levels of protection and styles. 
     The panels consist of a layered composition of bulletproof fabric and other bulletproof material (e.g. polycarbonate, metal), a flexible insulating/dividing membrane, resin and adhesive. The panel will be encased in a flexible, high temperature resistant material that provides protection from water, oil and damaging UV rays. The edges of each individual panel will be secured to maximize the effective product lifespan. 
     The final product is a removable ballistics adhesive protective pad that is pliable and moldable, and that can be in any shape, size, color, pattern, texture, weight, density, thickness, level of protection and style. It will have a pressure sensitive adhesive layer, at first covered by a non-stick backing, that when combined with its ability to be molded &amp; shaped, enables the device to adhere to surfaces such as clothing or body parts (e.g. arms, neck, thighs, legs, head, back, feet) and provide protection for specific critical areas such as heart and organs. It can also be applied to pets, and even inanimate objects such as vehicles or surfaces within a facility such as a home, schoolroom, or safe-room.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional Patent Application 61/911,506 filed Dec. 4, 2013

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

My invention relates to improvements in the performance, functionality,versatility and operation of bulletproof protective armor that can beworn by a human or animal, or applied to a surface (e.g. vehicle, house,schoolroom, safe-room) for the purpose of providing protection to theoccupants.

Bulletproofing (or bullet resistance) is the process of making somethingcapable of stopping a bullet or similar high velocity projectile (e.g.shrapnel from an explosive device). Bullet resistant materials are oftenused in law enforcement and military applications, to protect personnelfrom death or serious injuries.

In 1538, Francesco Maria della Rovere commissioned Filippo Negroli tocreate a bulletproof vest. In 1561, Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor isrecorded as testing his armor against gun-fire. The history of the word“bullet” and the adjective form of “proof” in the late 16th centurywould suggest that the term “bulletproof” originated shortly thereafter

One of the first commercially sold bulletproof armor products wasproduced by a tailor in Dublin, Ireland in the 1840s. The first officialattempt at commissioning body armor to the armed forces was made in 1915by the British Army Design Committee. The British army medical servicescalculated towards the end of the War, that three quarters of all battleinjuries could have been prevented if an effective armor had beenissued.

Kevlar is a type of woven material that was found to be very effectivein the production of bulletproof products. During the 1980s, the USmilitary issued a Kevlar vest able to stop pistol rounds andfragmentation of explosives. West Germany issued a similar vest. Kevlarsoft armor (without any additional embedded metal plates) had itsshortcomings because if large fragments or high velocity bullets hit thevest, the energy could cause life-threatening, blunt trauma injuries inselected, vital areas.

Ranger Body Armor was developed for the American military in 1991.Although it was the second modern US body armor that was able to stoprifle caliber rounds and still be light enough to be worn by infantrysoldiers in the field, it still had its flaws. It was still heavier thanthe concurrently issued anti-fragmentation armor worn by regularinfantry and did not have the same degree of ballistic protection aroundthe neck and shoulders. The format of Ranger Body Armor (and more recentbody armor issued to US special operations units) highlights thetrade-offs between force protection and mobility that modern body armorforces organizations to address

Modern day bullet-resistant materials (also called ballistic materialsor, equivalently, anti-ballistic materials) are usually rigid, with onlya few various products being more supple or pliable. They may becomplex, such as Kevlar, Lexan, and carbon fiber composite materials, orthey may be basic and simple, such as steel or titanium.

Today, wearable bulletproof armor is most often seen in the form of avest style garment wearable by a human. A bulletproof vest, ballisticvest or bullet-resistant vest is an item of personal armor that helpsabsorb the impact from firearm-fired projectiles and shrapnel fromexplosions, and is worn on the torso. Ballistic vests use layers of verystrong fiber to “catch” and deform a bullet, mushrooming it into a dishshape, and spreading its force over a larger portion of the vest fiber.The vest absorbs the energy from the deforming bullet, bringing it to astop before it can completely penetrate the textile matrix. Some layersmay be penetrated but as the bullet deforms, the energy is absorbed by alarger and larger fiber area. Soft vests are commonly worn by policeforces, private citizens who are at risk of being shot (e.g., nationalleaders), security guards, and bodyguards.

Metal or ceramic plates can be used in combination with a soft vest,providing additional protection from rifle rounds, and metalliccomponents. These hard-plate reinforced vests are mainly worn by combatsoldiers, police tactical units, and hostage rescue teams.

In order for current versions of ballistic protection to be wearable,the ballistic panels and hard rifle-resistant plates are fitted inside aspecial carrier. The carrier is the visible part of a ballistic vest.The most basic carrier includes pockets which hold the ballistic panelsand straps for mounting the carrier on the user. There are two majortypes of carriers—military or tactical carriers that are worn over theshirt, and covert law enforcement type carriers that are worn under theshirt.

The military type of carrier typically has a series of pockets for neckprotection, side plates, groin plates, and backside protection. Becausethis style of carrier is not close fitting, sizing in this system isstraightforward for both men and women, making custom fabricationunnecessary. However, because of this same design, gaps in protectedregions may (and often do) occur. Movement, especially quick evasivemaneuvers required by the typical user, may also be somewhat unnatural,unpredictable and hindered because the armor is not made to closelyfollow movement of the human body. The mobility of the wearer can thenbe compromised.

The other type of carrier is styled to be more covert and concealed byclothing. By comparison, a concealable carrier of ballistic panels fitsclose to the wearer's body, with a shirt worn over it. It must be customdesigned to conform closely to the wearer's body shape. For concealablearmor to conform to the body it must be correctly fitted to a particularindividual. Many programs specify full custom measurement andmanufacturing of armor panels and carriers to ensure good fit andcomfortable armor. Officers who are significantly overweight or femalehave more difficulty in getting accurately measured and havingcomfortable armor fabricated. Additionally, any change to the body shape(e.g. weight gain or loss, muscle gain or loss, pregnancy, injury,aging) causes the armor to not fit properly.

Modern body armor may combine a ballistic vest with other items ofprotective clothing, such as a combat helmet. Vests intended for policeand military use may also include rigid ballistic shoulder and sideprotection armor components, and bomb disposal officers wear heavy armorand helmets with face visors and spine protection.

Bulletproof armor for a vehicle or other structure (e.g. house,schoolroom, safe-room) today requires a custom design and installation.This is typically cost prohibitive for most people. The products arealso permanently attached during the installation, of a custom specifiedshape and size and therefore not transferable to other items.

While a variety of bulletproof products exists and are in use today, itcan be seen that many improvements in the field are desired.

What is required for improved bulletproof protection from ballisticsarmor is—

-   -   Easily and inexpensively obtained by any common citizen    -   Easily and inexpensively stored anywhere, and quickly available        for any unexpected event requiring ballistics protection    -   Easily and quickly fitted on the body for protection, with        minimal loss of mobility    -   Flexibility in placement of the armor anywhere on the body to be        protected    -   Ability to provide protection for areas left        uncovered/unprotected while wearing current bulletproof products    -   Sizing of protective article to support easy fitment to any size        individual (i.e.—adult, teen, child, infant), or even pets with        no customization required.    -   No need for expensive, time-consuming custom fitting to achieve        a wearable protective item    -   Ability to re-use protective item (as long as it's not damaged        following a ballistics event)    -   Ability to re-use undamaged protective item on an individual        other than the previous wearer, and still have full protection    -   Ability to re-use undamaged protective item on an individual        other than the previous wearer, and not cause any loss of        mobility of the new wearer due to improper fitment    -   Ability to re-use undamaged protective item following a change        in the original wearer's body shape (e.g.—weight gain/loss,        muscle gain/loss, pregnancy, injury, aging)    -   Ability to increase the level of protection at will, by fitting        or stacking multiple layers to the same area

None of the prior art discloses or addresses all of these issues whichare resolved by my invention, nor do they afford the benefitsspecifically designed into my invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

My invention relates to improvements in the performance, functionality,versatility and operation of bulletproof protective armor. Specifically,my invention provides flexible bulletproof adhesive pads in panel form,of various shapes, sizes, colors, patterns, textures, weights, densitys,thicknesses, levels of protection and styles.

The panels consist of a layered composition of bulletproof fabric andother bulletproof material (e.g. polycarbonate, metal), a flexibleinsulating/dividing membrane, resin and adhesive. The panel will beencased in a flexible, high temperature resistant material that providesprotection from water, oil and damaging UV rays. The edges of eachindividual panel will be secured to maximize the effective productlifespan.

The final product is a removable ballistics adhesive protective pad thatis pliable and moldable, and that can be in any shape, size, color,pattern, texture, weight, density, thickness, level of protection andstyle. It will have a pressure sensitive adhesive layer, at firstcovered by a non-stick backing, that when combined with its ability tobe molded & shaped, enables the device to adhere to surfaces such asclothing or body parts (e.g. arms, neck, thighs, legs, head, back, feet)and provide protection for specific critical areas such as heart andorgans. It can also be applied to pets, and even inanimate objects suchas vehicles or surfaces within a facility such as a home, schoolroom, orsafe-room.

An object of the present invention is to provide ballistic protection.

A further object of the present invention is to provide up to NationalInstitute of Justice (NIJ) Level IV ballistic protection.

A further object of the present invention is to provide ballisticsprotection that will adhere to any surface, such as a person's clothingor skin.

A further object of the present invention is to provide ballisticsprotection that can be removed from the surface that it is adhered to,and reused by adhering to another surface.

A further object of the present invention is to provide ballisticsprotection for body parts that are typically not covered (protected)while wearing a typical bulletproof vest as is known today.

A further object of the present invention is to not require customfitting or manufacture for any specific user regardless of size, bodyshape, age, location applied or weight carrying ability, includingfollowing any changes to the afore-mentioned criteria.

A further object of the present invention is to provide ballisticprotection at a relatively inexpensive price point due to its ability tobe mass produced, and that is does not require customization in order tobe fully effective.

A further object of the present invention is to make available effectiveballistic protection at a price point where common citizens will be ableto obtain it.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a ballisticprotective device that is simple to apply, can be rapidly put intoeffect, and is intuitive to use.

A further object of the present invention is to quickly and easily applyballistic protection to pets or inanimate objects such as the windshieldand surfaces of a vehicle.

A further object of the present invention is to present ballisticprotection that is flexible and can be molded or shaped to a curvedsurface, such as a person's torso or limb, allowing it to provideimproved protection to arms or legs, or to form a close fittingbreastplate.

A further object of the present invention is to present ballisticprotection that can be manufactured to result in any shape, size, color,pattern, texture, weight, density, thickness, level of protection andstyle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide ballisticprotection that is light weight but fully effective.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a ballisticprotection device that does not require an accompanying carrier device(e.g. vest) that would increase the cost to manufacture and purchase,increase the weight having to be carried by the wearer, potentiallylimit the mobility of the wearer, limit the variety of people that couldmake use of the same device, and lessen the effective coverage of theperson's body being protected because of fitment issues.

A further object of the present invention is to provide ballisticprotection that is nearly undetectable because of its smooth design andability to conform and adhere directly to a surface. This allows aperson to simply wear a shirt or outer garment over my invention andthus conceal its presence.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device thatallows an increase in ballistic protection by the application of morethan one panel onto the same area, stacking and adhering each on top ofthe other.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a ballisticprotection device that can be simply and easily used in conjunction withexisting bulletproof articles on the market e.g. a vest) to enhance itseffectiveness both in the level of protection provided and thecompleteness of area covered.

A further object of the present invention is to present a ballisticprotection device that is easily stored and quickly accessed during anypotential or real assault event at any location, including but notlimited to schools; law enforcement and military facilities, vehicles &locations; courtrooms; homes; public areas; hospitals; and huntingoutings.

A further object of the present invention is to provide effective andflexible ballistics protection that causes minimal loss to the mobilityof the wearer.

A further object of the present invention is to be re-useable afterbeing applied to any given surface (e.g. walls of a home, schoolroom,safe-room, doors or other surfaces of a vehicle), because of thepressure sensitive adhesive layer, and/or additional adhesive kit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a typical embodiment of my invention, illustrating that itcan be manufactured in a variety of useful shapes such as a largerectangle (10), a square (20) or a circle (30).

FIG. 2 shows the makeup of my invention in the form of a chestplate(40), and also illustrates the many layers (50) of ballistic material inits construction.

FIG. 3 Shows an application of my invention to a human body, in the formof a chestplate (40) and arm protection (70).

FIG. 4 Shows an application of my invention to a human body, in the formof a square (20) applied to a wearer's back.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In its preferred embodiment, my invention consists of multiple layersof—

-   -   bulletproof fabric (such as Kevlar) that has been infused        through a compression technique with resin having non-rigid        bonding catalysts,    -   bulletproof polycarbonate,    -   pressure sensitive adhesive,    -   a flexible membrane to separate the infused fabric from the        adhesive, that is formed into a flat panel which is then cut to        a preferred size and shape, its perimeter edges secured        together, and entirely encased in a flexible and protective        outer coating.

The level of protection provided can vary, depending on the number oflayers of bulletproof cloth and material included.

Alternatively, metal or other rigid plate material can be included inthe stack of layers to increase the level of protection provided by thefinal product.

The juxtaposition of the cloth layers can be arranged so that the fibersof each subsequent layer are at an angle to the fibers of the layerpreceding it, in order to increase the ballistic protectioneffectiveness of the assemblage.

The non-rigid bonding catalysts in the resin that is infused into thebulletproof cloth give the assemblage the ability to remain flexible,and conformable to the surface to which it is adhered. This is asignificant advantage over rigid protective devices as the wearerretains maximum mobility, the device is easily concealed, the protectivecoverage area is greater and without gaps, and the likelihood of newgaps in coverage opening up as the wearer moves is minimized.

Any panel can be adhered and subsequently removed from any surface. Onceremoved, it can be re-adhered to another surface, so long as it has notbeen damaged by a ballistic event. Though the adhesive is reusable, overtime it may lose its ability to adequately adhere. In this instance akit will be available that contains additional adhesive that can beapplied.

A further advantage of my invention is that no further garment or deviceis required to hold the panel in place since it is adhered to thesurface rather than held in position by a vest, for example.

This also results in an advantage in that the additional weight of avest, for example, is not required to be carried by the wearer.

A further advantage of my invention is that it can be used inconjunction with existing bulletproofing, such as a vest, by adhering apanel or panels to the vest where desired, such as over the heart areaor over major body organs. This bolsters the protection provided to thewearer without requiring expensive and time consuming modifications totheir existing bulletproof item.

A further advantage is that my invention is conformable to the body(e.g. arm, leg, breastplate coverage), and offers a smooth design suchthat it is easily rendered undetectable underneath a person's clothing.

It is to be understood that beyond the herein described preferredembodiment of my invention, which has been presented here as anillustration for understanding in general terms the benefits,characteristics and advantages that its design affords, furtherembodiments or details are claimed to be protected as well as they fallwithin the scope and spirit of the broad wording and understanding ofthe claims herein attached.

I claim:
 1. A removable ballistics adhesive protective pad, consistingof a multiple layered composition of bulletproof fabric, pressuresensitive adhesive, a flexible membrane, resin the perimeter edges ofsaid multiple layered composition being securely sealed, and saidmultiple layered composition being surrounded by a flexible casing, andsaid bulletproof fabric being compressively infused with said resin, andsaid resin containing non-rigid bonding catalysts, and said pressuresensitive adhesive being covered with a removable non-stick backing, andsaid flexible membrane separating said bulletproof fabric from saidpressure sensitive adhesive, and said casing providing protection fromhigh temperatures, water, oil and UV rays such that a thin panel shapeof removable ballistics adhesive protective pad is produced that ispliable, able to conform and adhere to a shape and that providesballistic protection to an object to which it is adhered.
 2. Saidremovable ballistics adhesive protective pad in claim 1 where saidmultiple layered composition includes layers of bulletproofpolycarbonate thereby increasing the ballistic protectivecharacteristics of said multiple layered composition.
 3. Said removableballistics adhesive protective pad in claim 1 where there are anincreased number of layers of said bulletproof fabric and/or bulletproofpolycarbonate thereby increasing the ballistic protectivecharacteristics of said multiple layered composition.
 4. Said removableballistics adhesive protective pad in claim 1 where said multiplelayered composition includes one or more layers of metal, therebyincreasing said ballistic protection characteristics of said multiplelayered composition.
 5. Said removable ballistics adhesive protectivepad in claim 1 where subsequent layers of said bulletproof fabric areoriented such that the direction of threads comprising their structureare laid at an angle to the threads of the previous layer.
 6. Saidremovable ballistics adhesive protective pad in claim 1 where saidremovable ballistics adhesive protective pad is cut into various sizesor shapes.
 7. Said removable ballistics adhesive protective pad in claim1 where said flexible casing is of any color, texture or pattern. 8.Said removable ballistics adhesive protective pad in claim 1 where saidbulletproof fabric is comprised of Kevlar.